I am losing my sweet mother to lung cancer, and she is suffering pretty badly right now and I cannot convince her to relieve her pain by taking any sort of pain meds now.
It is so hard for me because I am the only child and my father just passed from liver cancer almost two years ago now. I have family, but they are old and not able to travel often. I have one cousin who is helping me out 2-3 days a week. We will also be starting hospice next week.
My problem is that I lose patience with my mom when she won't take her sleeping meds and/or pain meds. I am praying for patience and direction from God to help. It is almost unbearable at night when I see her restlessness/pain, and I can do nothing for her. I need sleep or I cannot care for her during the day. I feel like I just need to make it to Monday/Tuesday and then hospice will help, but they really won't be doing anything but visiting for short visits and then I am left all alone with her again with no one to talk to or help me w/ the endless chores, rounds of medication, draining the pleurx catheter, washing the sheets, shopping, cooking, etc..
Has anyone else had this resistance to pain/sleep meds from their loved one or friend that they have had to deal with as a caregiver? If so, how did you convince the patient that it was best for them to rest?
Sleepless in Houston